Custom home on a smaller scale

We often think of custom homes in prestigious suburbs as being enormous in size, with perhaps 5,000 to 12,000 square feet of space. Yet, some buyers want the appointments of a custom home on a more modest scale and more moderate cost.

North Shore custom builder Jeff Samuels, president of Samuels Homes, is building a 3,500-square-foot custom home in Highland Park that highlights his ability to accommodate a range of needs and budgets.

"When you consider land costs of $600,000 to $700,000 plus demolition of an existing home, it takes ingenuity to keep to a budget, but I find that an exciting challenge," Samuels said. "It is important to remember that an amazing amount of amenities can be included in a 3,500-square-foot home."

For custom home buyers who desire a not-quite-so-big home, Samuels suggests starting with one of his floor plans and modifying it to meet specific needs.

"Using an existing floor plan that is close in design to what the buyer wants and then making modifications saves time and money," he says. "We have designed this home to be expandable and have placed it on the site so a two-car garage can grow to three cars if needed and still meet village codes."

The home includes four bedrooms plus a second-floor play room and laundry room, 2½ baths, full finished basement with an open staircase, full bath, office, exercise room and craft room plus a natural stone veneer exterior and two-car attached garage.

"This home has an array of deluxe finishes throughout plus 10-foot ceilings," Samuels says. "It includes a formal living room and dining room as well as an informal living space and expanded library.

"The family room features a fireplace and built-in bookcases. Of special interest is the fact that we used standard cabinets as the basis for creating a custom look, saving dollars while achieving a beautiful effect.

"The kitchen and breakfast room are appointed with 42-inch cabinets, granite counters and stainless-steel appliances including a 42-inch refrigerator. The master bedroom includes a sitting room, walk-in closets and a bathroom with a shower and combination whirlpool and air-jet tub with massage heater," he says.

Though most of Samuels Homes are larger than 3,500 square feet, his business is dedicated to meeting buyer needs.

Call (847) 480-6476 for more information.